It’s more than a wave from the driver – It’s a way of life! Ask almost any of the Jeepers and they will tell you they have their own approach to their vehicles and the Jeep came along to fill that need! In its infancy, the off-road mode of military transportation helped win wars, but in modern day use from daily driver to off-road play toy, the Jeep has come to be one of the foremost, recognizable and certainly one of the most customizable vehicles on the road (road, trails, dirt, dunes, beaches, on and on!).

Just as Indianapolis houses the IRL industry, Charlotte houses NASCAR, Phoenix houses off road, including a cool lil refurb shop called The Jeep Farm, specifically for the Jeep enthusiast and refurb aficionados. Whether off road transformations, or remaining stock to the numbers, the Jeep Farm offers a variety of services from vintage restorations to modern-day custom builds.

Classic Wagoneer from The Jeep Farm

As a former rock-crawler guy turned shop owner/operator, Drew Norman, claims, “I pretty much get hooked on anything with four tires and horsepower.” In his current projects, Norman has two vintage Baja Jeeps in the shop for restoration, and hopes to take a driver’s seat in the 2020 NORRA 1000, in his newly purchased vintage Baja Jeep. “This Jeep has won the 1000 ten times, among other accolades in it’s pedigree! I’m going to be a complete rookie, so I figured I would buy a 550hp classic that’s been raced by some of the biggest names out there. I’ll just jump right into the deep end!” jokes Norman.

The Jeep Farm is known for its restoration of 1986 and older, Jeeps, including the Grand Wagoneer up to final-year 1991 models. Drew claims he has 34 restoration projects currently on the books, 50+ Jeeps in the ‘yard,’ and currently booking projects into 2021. “We do pretty much whatever ya want,” says Drew. “We do complete nut-and-bolt back-to-stock restorations, we do resto-mods like our ‘88 Grand Wagoneer that will look all original exterior, but with a built 5.3 LS in it, 4-wheel disc brakes, full leather interior, heated seats, custom stereo and on and on. We just finished a 1970 Wagoneer resto-mod, with hidden stereo, 18” Detroit Steel wheels, etc. We do V8 conversions, local repairs, swaps, paint and bodywork, and pretty much anything that applies to a Jeep. Our customers are those that have a hard time finding qualified folks to work on their Jeep and they will ship theirs to me from around the globe.” The Jeep Farm currently has among others from around the USA, 2 Jeeps from Italy, and a Jeep from Germany.

Jeep CJ Renegade by The Jeep Farm

“I love HOWELL EFI – Simple, works!”

Drew Norman of The Jeep Farm

“My mom says I came out of the womb making a motor noise,” laughs Drew. “My family has always been into cars and that’s how I grew up. My grandfather was president of a AAA motor club, and my dad and his brothers were also into cars. My uncles into Porsche and Mercedes, and my dad and I into Jeeps.”

At the age of six, Drew’s Jeep fascination began when his father came home in a new 79 Jeep Renegade. “The Jeep coming home that day with the orange renegade strips had me hooked,” says Drew. “Then I was always in it, as my dad’s daily driver. When I would be standing in line at school, I’d see all the kids parents show up in their station wagons, then my dad would pull around with those bright colors, the KC lights across the top, and I was jumping into something cool!”

Drew not only relished cool in the school line but then formed a successful career based on his passion for the 4×4 sensation. With a love for stock vehicles and building to spec for his customers, Drew also loves to push the boundaries and be creative with customizations as well. “I don’t own anything stock,” he says. “Original rebuilds are incredible, they are fun and I enjoy it, but there is not a single vehicle of mine that hasn’t been upgraded in horsepower, or new wheels and tires, and we are now working on a lot of projects hiding stereos and electronics so that it all looks original, but performs with modern improvements. I love customizing, but I’m not a customizer on hot rods only. Our niche is Jeep restoration, repair and ‘mild’ customization’ as a focused business expertise.

Included in his mild customizations, Drew relies on HOWELL EFI, for all of his fuel injection needs. Much like the Jeep Farm focus on Jeeps, Drew recognizes the focused expertise, and one-and-only focus on electronic fuel injection, by his long time supplier. In the beginning of his carb-to-injection jobs, over 10 years ago, Drew learned early on that other products provided more problems than solutions, and that’s when he started with HOWELL. “Simple works!” claims Drew, “and that’s what we get with HOWELL.”

Full service restoration and conversions at The Jeep Farm

Drew learned that with the abilities provided in touch screen setups and modifications, customers will mess things up, then he would have to fix them again. With many issues in other systems vs. the mass R/D that went into the GM systems for fuel injection, and the owner of HOWELL as the project leader in the GM development, the HOWELL systems provide an ease and reliability second to no one. “You can install these (HOWELL) systems and then not have to worry about them,” says Drew. “And that’s what I love about them!”

“A large majority of my restorations leave Arizona,” says the Jeep Farmer. “They get shipped here, I restore them and they go back to the owners wherever it may be; overseas, they go back east, they go to Texas, etc. And once they leave me, I’m not close enough to solve any follow up issues. And with the HOWELL systems, I can still put the factory air cleaner on it, the engine looks largely stock, I can install the EFI, put a couple test miles on it, and I’m comfortable enough to ship the vehicle back across the country knowing it will be perfectly fine. Plus, on the rare occasion something does happen, my customer won’t be down for weeks at a time for me to get back to them. I can send them, or they can run to the local parts store for a sensor or whatever it is and replace it within an afternoon.”

Norman also notes that sometimes customers just want cheap; that there are always going to be those that just want the lowest price without concern (or value) in quality and reliability. Unfortunately in a time of priorities based on penny-pinching and finding the lowest price on the internet, many will unknowingly spend more overall expense because the cheap purchases often do not include all the parts required for the job, rarely come from a reliable and knowledgeable source, require more hours, money and attempts to get the job done right. And while the statement “you get what you pay for” may hold true in a variety of products and services available, when you don’t pay much, with an equal return in performance in the automotive industry, that often results in being stranded on the road, or in a 4×4, perhaps on the other side of a mountain, unable to reach civilization for an instant repair. Conversely, Norman also recognizes the customer that knows, respects and understands the value in quality work and reliability, and knows there is a cost to achieve the same results, and these customers will make sure they purchase the quality and reliability available, without any hesitations at all.

Classic Jeep Pickup At The Jeep Farm

“Tried and true, eventually becomes the staple,” says Drew, “and we definitely live by that standard in our shop. HOWELL provides us two main appeals to support that. First, the HOWELL systems just work; without complication, complexity, or worries. Instead, they use parts and system design specific to each installation for an immeasurable success rate.”

“Second,” claims Drew, “Their customer service is outstanding. I can actually call and talk to someone. It’s an easy conversation and they can solve the problem with an ease and understanding to help me, help my customers that much better. They can sit on the phone if we need clarity in the On-board diagnostics, bending the paper clip in half, running the codes, or any other specific design and parts discussions needed.” Drew notes in the past with a different system for example, quite the opposite. He recollects that the HOWELL systems are a nice change from previous experiences. “We actually had a Jeep dead for three months while we continually had to send parts back and forth, troubleshooting errors. We eventually had to send back every single part of this other system, and that was how I found HOWELL. We then installed the HOWELL system instead, and I asked for my money back from the other system. That was my first experience with HOWELL many years ago. What I was using failed, and when I used HOWELL it saved me. I’ve been a loyal customer ever since. I won’t use anything else.”

“My customers want to turn the key and go. And that’s what HOWELL EFI offers.”

Drew Norman – The Jeep Farm

From playing in the yard motorizing his matchbox cars as a child and seeing his dad’s ’79 Jeep Renegade pull in the drive, to all the Jeeps currently in the shop, Drew Norman has always loved cars. For anyone that feels the same and looking for a great resource for your rebuild, feel free to hit him up and add yours to the list!

Around the age of three years old, the impression of cool cars was emblazoned in the mind of Nite Restorations’ Gordie Rutkowski. When he saw, even at a young age, his first car, he was engrossed in that special attraction, whatever it may be, to which all of us auto enthusiasts are drawn. While even as a baby, the attraction was so great, that the three-year-old remembers, decades later, his parents first ‘63 SS, then ‘67 Chevy Impala 4-door (As does this author from his infancy, remembering his parents’ big white boat, convertible, ‘65 Impala). “For a 4-door, I always thought the car had such clean lines,” says Rutkowski. “And when all the windows were rolled down, it was like an open cockpit under that hard top.”

From there, Gordie was hooked! Even playing with toy cars, he was taking them apart and putting them back together. If he saw his dad wrenching on something, then he wanted to follow suit. “My mom came downstairs one day and found me with the dryer all torn apart,” he chuckles. “I wanted to know how the drum went round and around!”

His first auto project was his first car, as a hand-me-down from his sister around the age of 14 years old. Until he was old enough to drive it himself, his dad drove the car as his daily driver back and forth to work at GM. Gordie recalls from back then that the car needed a heater core, and his dad told him to pull a couple parts and panels to prepare for the replacement. Gordie says that by the time his father got to the car, he had already removed the fenders, hood, and pretty much everything around the heater core. “My dad saw it all and he just shook his head,” says Gordie. “I guess this is gonna be a bigger project after all, said his father.”

Gordie Rutkowski Talks About #ProjectRecycled & Howell EFI

To this day, the 1973 Plymouth Duster that Gordie and his dad worked on, is still Gordie’s prized possession, with a few more replacement projects having taken place along the way. Included in his many modifications have been changing out his chassis for a C6 corvette chassis, and trading the classic Mopar 440 for a modern LS2 engine with Howell EFI Harness and ECM.

After working on cars for most of the years of his life, Gordie converted from phone and cable installations as a trade, to mechanic and restoration work. He started in a shop working their needs, while working his own interests at home on his time off. In the early 2000’s Gordie launched Nite Restorations (Memphis, MI), eventually replacing the shop where he was working by day, and took over the customer base when the employer shop had closed.

“By using Howell EFI, I know it’s one less thing I have to worry about,”

Gordie Rutkowski of Nite Restorations

Nite Restorations operated as a one-man biz for many years, with Gordie building full restorations, custom fab work and modifications. Fast-forward and the Impala-inspired 3 yr. old has grown into his own thriving car business. Within his service offerings Gordie has always been a proponent of carburetor conversions to EFI. “I started using Howell stuff back in the 90’s” says Gordie. “I was doing a lot of Chevy TBI and Tuneports conversions for many years.”

When the LS motor swaps began, Gordie’s use of Howell EFI conversions quickly grew to the point that Howell awarded him dealership status. “Almost anytime I’m working with a swap I just tell them at Howell what I want to do with the motor, and what I want to switch and change with the EFI harness. They take care of all the modifications, send to me, I plug in the ECM and it’s golden. There’s never any problems down the road. When I know my customer doesn’t want to mess with it, and just wants the reliability and the durability for their vehicle, I just call Howell for the kit, and I know I, nor my customer has to worry about anything. I don’t think any of my cars have come back for even a sensor replacement. As far as I know, they are all still out there running great.”

Gordie also takes advantage of Howell benefits knowing not only that Howell EFI kits deliver everything needed for the conversion in one fell swoop to run reliably thereafter, but in the business of custom restorations, many modification and custom designs are the key to success. Changing out motors from one vehicle into a vehicle laid out for a completely different design can often require some very creative redesigns. All of which, Nite Restorations has encountered for years.

“When I did my Duster for example,” begins Gordie, “and even a recent ‘69 Camaro project too, in converting to almost a race-car chassis underneath, everything was going to be close to the motor. The great thing about Howell is that I can work with them to discuss my plans and my design. I’m able to completely customize my design specific to the car, and design my own harness needed. I can explain what leads I need at what lengths, where the ECM will mount, relay locations, where I want my fuse box, etc. I can literally just send them the specs I have designed and laid out for my build. Then I have folks taking pics because even the EFI harness looks nice,” he chuckles. “I love that Howell will work with me on the harness and move things to where I need it to be. Dealing with other manufactures, they think that its one size fits all. And it’s just not that way. Each individual project is different, regardless of the package they try to persuade others to buy.”

“By using Howell EFI, I know it’s one less thing I have to worry about,” states Gordie.

Even if Gordie is not doing the build himself he invites those wanting to do it themselves, to call him to place their order. “I can assist with the buying and purchasing they need for their build. If they may not know exactly what they need, I probably have a good idea what’s needed. As a dealer, I can sell them what works best for their project, because I have probably already been through the same issues prior.”

Today’s customer comes to Nite Restorations because they know the quality workmanship that they expect, will be delivered. They know that Gordie does not cut corners, and they know and trust the honesty that Gordie delivers. After his many successful years pursuing his automotive passions, Rutkowski still has his eyes on his next dream project. “I’ve completed the car I grew up with, my Duster, and I still have a ‘65 Dodge Coronet that my friend and I used to race on the streets,” says Gordie. “That’s sitting here and I’d really like to do a Corvette drivetrain/EFI conversion for this one too. It’s waiting in line with all of the other one’s. But I’ll always have my Duster. I look forward to the next decade of this and then shuttin’ it down, kicking back and enjoying all of my cars I’ve accumulated!”

Marine
City, MI (August 16, 2019) – Howell EFI, the conversion experts since 1988, is well known
for the company’s large number of Jeep TBI kits for off road, in addition to
kits for the 304, 360 and 401. Howell now offers Ford TBI kits for any classic carbureted inline 6 or V8 Ford application. The
Ford TBI kits are ideal for increasing drivability, and improving fuel mileage
and cold starting in older street-driven classics and 4-wheel drive vehicles.

The Ford
TBI kit provides everything needed to convert an I6, V6 or V8 engine from carburetor to
throttle body fuel injection. Howell EFI Owner Matt Howell says, “For ignition
systems other than points, and regardless of the configuration, we are able to
develop a TBI kit that will do what you want it to do. If you don’t see the part number you are
looking for, give us a call. This is a simple system that you do not have to
tune.”

Every
Howell TBI kit features a remanufactured GM throttle body appropriate for the
engine size for both engines with, or without ECM controlled ignition including
all sensors, components, wiring harness, ECM and fuel pump. Every kit includes
custom calibration PROM and an ECM that installs under the dash.
The fuel pump installs into the main fuel line, and bypass
fuel is returned to the tank. The harnesses are equipped with a diagnostic connector that works similar to a 1987-92
GM pickup.

Howell EFI Ford 390 CID TBI Conversion Kit

ABOUT HOWELL EFI
At Howell EFI, we choose to sell only the best quality components and
all are covered by a money back guarantee. Some TBI kits come in a one size fits all offering. We
at Howell understand that one size does not fit all, and work closely with
every customer to be certain each aspect of their set up is discussed to ensure
kit components are a perfect fit. For
additional information visit Howellefi.com, or call 810-765-5100. Howell EFI is located
at 6201 Industrial Way, Marine City, MI 48039

Four-wheel fun comes in a variety of methods and manners these days from the bombastic custom builds of Baja trucks and buggies, and jacked up Jeeps and pickup trucks from the ‘big three,’ to foreign import models cruising down the road built more for comfort and convenience over outdoor spectacle.

With everyone getting in the game of conversions, regardless of the intention for on or off road use,specific to the Pacific Northwestern region lies a specialized shop converting the classic 4 wheel Toyota Landcruiser, supporting the many years of classic models and nostalgic Japanese imports. Along with many various suppliers and vendors, Landcruisers North West (Portland, OR), chooses Howell for their EFI.

“They don’t just sell you the parts and ignore you after the sale. In over 10 years of working with Howell, they’ve been easy to work with and if there was a problem we’ve always gotten it sorted out. They help with troubleshooting and assist in finding any issues we may encounter.”

Matt Gustafson of Landcruiser NW

Landcruiser NW co owner, Matt Gustafson, has been raised on Landcruisers from his first days with a driver’s license, to his current ‘91 2-door soft-top 70-series, with an 89” wheelbase, sporting a V8 5-speed. “My first car was a Toyota Landcruiser,” says Gustafson. “When I was 16 yrs. old, I bought a 1970 Landcruiser and that was the start of the hobby. Five or six years later, my buddy and I started our Landcruiser shop.”

Gustafson started his company at 22 years of age during an internship straight out of college. With his first dabbling in corporate America, he quickly learned the soul-robbing trade of time for money, corporate agenda and yes-man games required to succeed in the suit-n-tie role, probably wasn’t for him. In seeking out his personal interests instead, the two-man team decided to start their own brand of Landcruiser shop.

Landcruiser NW team wheeling with customers and FJ enthusiasts at Rubicon

Specific to the Gustafson brand is the opportunity to leave the city streets for the splendor of the Pacific Northwest outdoors. Plus with the lack of a harsh winter, nor any salt on the roads, Gustafson says, “Landcruisers survive here very well. We don’t have any corrosive chemicals all over our vehicles. And with our SUV/outdoor-based lifestyles, our heaviest load is a surfboard and maybe a bike, on our way to the beach or up in the mountains.”

The Landcruiser NW business has seen recent upticks in business with the Landcruiser now coming en vogue. As with many auto enthusiasts, when the daily driver becomes a toy to play with as well, often times the wrenches come out and the imagination starts to run wild with ideas of modifications and enhanced performance. “Many of our customers look at the prospect of restoring a cool old car and driving something that’s fun and exciting, over spending the same amount of money on a modern-day design that doesn’t have much soul to it,” says Matt.

With not only his personal passion for Landcruiser supporting his business, but also the reputation of a solid product from the manufacturer, Gustafson says it’s helpful to build our business on quality and reliable products. “When you start with a good foundation, and stick to the high standards and the same quality of your modifications, it’s easy to develop a good reputation in our work, and the cars will last for a long time. And regardless of crazy modifications or remaining with stock from the factory, we want our work to make the car as safe, if not safer than it was, and we have to deliver a reliable car that many times is even more reliable than when we started.”

Classic FJ’s get full restorations and upgrades at Landcruiser NW

“For example, we use Howell EFI because they offer a fuel injection conversion that works with the factory Landcruiser engine,” says Gustafson. “Howell uses basic throttle body and fuel injection components that have been proven over the last 30 years.” Gustafson claims that if he does some work and then sometime later the car ends up in someone else’s shop, “If they have to scratch their head to figure out what we have done in our shop, our modification is not all that good. With Howell however, if I make the mod and it goes somewhere else, the other shop is going to easily recognize the parts and the process.” As with many shops, the mechanic is often handed a project of wiring and harnesses that have seen multiple modification and molestation over the years. “One of the things huge for us,” says Matt, “is that Howell makes a stand alone wiring harness for old cars that I can install and easily rebuild the system, reliably and correctly.”

When Gustafson started his business in 2002, he says he was looking for a company that made a stand alone wiring harness so he could choose his own inputs like A/C, electric fans, or whatever their needs become. “There is a lot of generic stuff out there but there are very few that I can determine for myself this type of connector for the fuel injector, I want it to have two electric fans over one, I’d like the harness adapted to the passenger side instead of the driver side of the engine, or even super long so I can install from the trunk, or whatever the situation may be, with Howell, they make all of that stuff, and provide the full kit with everything I need, in one stop. Yes we work for improved efficiency, horsepower and enhanced performance, but we strive first for quality, safety and reliability in our builds. Many times we need the attributes of one harness included in the attributes of another harness. Howell helps us do that.”

Landcruisers need to be able to go almost anywhere reliably, and Howell EFI conversions can make them even more reliable

Matt also enjoys the reliable customer service from Howell, with their dedication to ‘make it work.’ Matt says, “They don’t just sell you the parts and ignore you after the sale. In over 10 years of working with Howell, they’ve been easy to work with and if there was a problem we’ve always gotten it sorted out. They help with troubleshooting and assist in finding any issues we may encounter.”

Matt advises for any modifications to always keep in mind reliability, safety and the future service. And whether a fuel injection conversion from a carburetor, or swapping in a fuel injected engine, stick with the basics. “When someone gets too exotic with their mods, it makes it very tough to service five or 10 years down the line.”

After 20 years in business, Gustafson continues his excitement for his Landcruisers and auto projects to come. “Just last week I found a really cool ’65 FJ45 pickup out in the middle of nowhere, and I am super excited for the previously unavailable ‘70 series Landcruisers coming in from Japan too! We end up in a lot of treasure hunts. When someone knows of something cool out there, they usually give us a call. We are picking up a Landcruiser fire truck, coming in this week, that will be a really fun conversion.”

The Jeep Grand Wagoneer was an iconic sport utility vehicle dating back to even before SUV was ever coined as a hip genre of automobile. For many it was the original 4-wheel drive wagon allowing a sporty flair, not only for off-road adventure, but also toting around the family and perpetual drives to the grocery store. For Jeep/Chrysler, the Brook Stevens design was a gold mine, making its way from the woodsy trails to suburbia driveways across the map. With the signature woodgrain panel sides, the Woody was recognized coast to coast as the go-to family four-by.

For Chip Miller of Wagonmaster Jeep Wagoneers (Kerrville, TX), the Grand Wagoneer has been a lifelong family tradition reaching back to his childhood. His earliest memory of a Jeep was the 50’s-model Willis CJ3B, owned by his grandfather, on a ranch in Dillon, Montana. Miller says he has a picture of his dad holding him at about 2 years old, with the old-style army looking Jeep in the background, with the hood up.

With his baby pictures providing signs of future duties to come, the 70’s pre-woodgrain Wagoneer Limited entered the picture under his father’s ownership and the passion for Wagonmaster began without even knowing it. “I remember when my dad bought his first Wagoneer Limited in late 1978,” says Chip, “It was the first to have the full woodgrain.” The following year, Chip’s father, Leon, purchased his second Wagoneer as another workhorse for their ranch in Texas. “Versus the open air CJ, with no air conditioning and such,” says Chip, “the Wagoneer was also something that you could get out on the highway for a comfortable drive into town. In 1982, he bought another.”

In 1984, Jeep changed the name to Grand Wagoneer. The wrap around tail lights were replaced by an embedded upright tail light (similar to the Jeep Cherokee), and Jeep/Chrysler added headrests. Both updates were incorporated into the design until the discontinuation of the model in 1991. “We were a family of six kids, and the Grand Wagoneer remained as our ‘people transporters’ throughout the decades.”

Grand Wagoneer Jeep Ad

“We come by all of this (Wagonmaster) business honestly,” says Miller. “When I joined my dad in 2010, I began to listen to our customers’ interests and motivations, it’s still the same thing with their Wagoneer too. That it’s the family heirloom, it’s the heritage, tradition and legacy of their memories; fishing trips, riding in the backseat with the neighbors, the dentist three-doors down having one in the driveway and the eagerness to have one too. And we’ve been lucky to speak to and hear the stories from the Chrysler designers that were in the trenches when assigned the tasks for the new truck to compete with Chevy and Ford.

With their stock well entrenched into the Grand Wagoneer lineage, Wagonmaster has restored over 2000 vehicles, and the shop may have 70 to 90 Wagoneers on hand at any given time. “We continually hear stories of trucks for sale out there and we try to be picky in our selections,” says Miller. “The low mile, barn finds go to the front of the pack, and begin immediate restorations, so we can bring it back to life and get into the hands of our customers. We update the car and our 26 years of business is always forward progression for parts and systems processes, and typically in prices as well. We are always moving forward, producing a steadily more and more enhanced Wagoneer. Plus in doing so, we are raising the value of all the others out there as well.”

Wagoneer at the Wagonmaster Restoration Shop

For example, Wagonmaster perpetuated the carburetor fuel intake for the first 18 or 19 years of business. “As improvements surfaced, we then offered the option of carb or injection (circa 2014). After a year’s time phasing out of the carburetor, however it was clear that injection was the way to go,” says Chip. “Increased additives from the refineries made it tougher and tougher for the carburetor to remain tuned. Modern day fuel formulas were causing the repeated need for carb. rebuilds and we had to eliminate the issue. My dad wanted us delivering vehicles, easy for anyone to drive; without choking, pumping without it dying, blowing power valves, without the backfire and the continual issues of the carburetor. Our customers experience the same nuisance many times, as a helpful incentive for them to sell the car to us instead.”

Miller says, “We chose Howell Fuel Injection as our vendor because they had a much more simple, throttle body-type system that easily bolted on, providing us the ability to install and manage the settings on our own. Plus, we needed an injection system compliant within all 50 states including the California Air Resources Board. With the longevity of the company, and one of the original fuel injection systems on the market, Howell helps us deliver a product of our service, that meet’s my dad’s standard, for the ease of driving a Wagonmaster rebuild.”

Miller approximates that Wagonmaster has installed over 300 Howell injection systems in their vehicles, to date.

“When people ask of typical breakdowns with a Grand Wagoneer, I have three main issues I typically see; 1) Carburetors need rebuilt, 2) Rear main seal needs replaced, and 3) Tailgate window doesn’t function” says Chip. “We see dysfunctional tailgate windows, inoperable relay switches and we always recommend, without hesitation the conversion from carburetor to EFI.” With his advice, he says many will call back saying my car has never run better. “And I love hearing that!”

In his quest forward, Chip Miller and his Wagonmaster team continue to forge ahead in their service and their deliverables. “I’m always on the lookout for the next Wagoneer, and I’m surprised every day,” says Chip. “When I first started in this business, I always wondered from where will I find the next one, and stay in business? I’ve since learned I’ll run short of money before I run short on cars!”

Marine City, MI,(April 11, 2019) – Howell EFI, long been known as a leader in EFI conversions since the late 1980’s beginning with GM TPI conversions, GM TBI conversions for Jeeps, and 90’s LT1 conversions now offers LT/EcoTec 3 conversion harnesses and accessories for GM direct injection swaps.

Over the past two decades Howell added the manufacture of conversion wiring harnesses and accessories for the ultra-popular LS/Vortec engine family. For the 2014 model year GM launched the direct injected LT1 Corvette engine, as well as the companion EcoTec3 engine powered GM pickup truck. As these LT/EcoTec3 vehicles and engines began to proliferate the scene and the scrapyards, Howell EFI began developing harnesses and parts for swapping the LT/EcoTec3 family of engines into other vehicles.

Howell now offers LT1/LT4 swap harnesses for 2014+ Camaro and Corvette direct injection and for direct injection for trucks with EcoTec3 L83, L86, and 4.3L V6 LV3-C truck engines. With Howell’s plug and play harnesses it is possible to transplant these powerful LT/EcoTec3 engines for Street Rod, Pro-Touring, Off-Road, Sand Rails, Street Machines and more.

The LT/EcoTec3 harnesses are made to customer specifications and include a fuse block and GM diagnostic connector for diagnosis and service at any repair facility utilizing the common OBD II port, in addition to a check engine light, electric fan control, and a complete stand-alone design to control engine functions. All Howell harnesses are Made in the USA and sold with a Lifetime Guarantee. Installation requires just three points of power at the battery, ignition, and fuel pump making these harnesses truly plug-and-play. For more information, watch this video.

Developed specific for Chrysler
273, 318, 340, 360, 383 and 440 CID throttle body injection, the kits include
GM proven electronic components and Howell’s custom wiring harness with
connectors that are the same as the original equipment – each labeled for
trouble-free installation.

All kits may be ordered with
special options based on your classic’s specific performance modifications – fo
example, the use of a 670 CFM 2BBL throttle body for modified engines or a heated
oxygen sensor for use with headers, or various intake and ignition system
changes.

The Howell Mopar TBI conversion kit
contains all sensors, components, complete wiring harnesses, ECM and fuel pump
to install fuel injection on your engine. The Howell ECM installs under the
dash and the fuel pump installs in the main fuel line. Bypass fuel is returned
to the tank.

Howell wiring harnesses are
constructed using high temperature (TXL insulation) automotive wire, genuine
Packard connectors and terminals, and Packard crimping tools. Howell show
quality TPI harnesses are covered with an attractive black nylon hose braid for
protection from abrasion or chemicals. The throttle body and any reworked
harnesses are covered with production style slit-nylon corrugated tubing.

These kits are NOT CARB-approved (California Air Resource Board), and can only be used
on vehicles built prior to 1975.

Howell EFI is pleased to introduce their new 2016 LT1 Camaro, 2014 – 2016 LT1 Corvette, and 2015 – 2016 LT4 Corvette harnesses, as well as its Ecotec3 truck versions for the 2014 – 2016 4.3L, 5.3L and 6.2L GM Gen V engines. For ease of installation, relays are included, wires are clearly labeled and terminated, and one ground serves the entire system. Harnesses also include 6L80/6L90 transmission functionality making the installation of these engines and transmissions as easy as possible.

Each new harness also features its own fuse block and a GM diagnostic connector. This allows customers to have their vehicles easily diagnosed and serviced at any repair facility utilizing the common OBD II port. Installation requires just three points of power at the battery, ignition, and fuel pump making these harnesses truly plug-and-play. Harnesses are prepared to customer specifications, not a one size fits all approach, and each incorporates a rugged nylon or OEM style plastic covering and glued shrink tube.

Howell EFI provides more vehicle coverage for these engines families at better prices than any other harness maker in the industry. With the ability to put an LT1, LT4, or Ecotec3 engine into basically anything you want, these new engines are sure to become very popular swap options. Each harness is proudly made in the USA with a Lifetime Guarantee.

Look to Howell EFI to make it happen with ease.

Application List

2014-2016 LT1 Corvette Harness Designs

#HY625846 – Manual Trans. – $900.00

#HY625846T – 6L80/90 Trans. – $1,000.00

ECM’s (Reprogrammed)

#HY625846E – $450.00 without ECM core trade-in

#HY625846EC – $275.00 with ECM core trade-in

2016 LT1 Camaro Harness Designs

#HF625846- Manual Trans. – $900.00

#HF625846T – 6L80/90 Trans. – $1,000.00

ECM’s (Reprogrammed)

#HF625846E – $450.00 without ECM core trade-in

#HF625846EC – $275.00 with ECM core trade-in

2015-2016 LT4 Corvette Harness Designs 6.2L Supercharged

#HY625846S – Manual Trans. – $900.00

#HY625846ST – 6L80/90 Trans. – $1,000.00

ECM’s (Reprogrammed)

#HY625846SE – $450.00 without ECM core trade-in

#HY625846SEC – $275.00 with ECM core trade-in

2014-2016 4.3L LV3-C-Truck Harness Design

#HVL435846 – Manual Trans. – $800.00

#HVL435846T – 6L80/90 Trans. – $900.00

ECM’s Reprogrammed

#HVL435846E – $450.00 without ECM core trade-in

#HVL435846EC – $275.00 with ECM core trade-in

2014-2016 5.3L L83-C-Truck Harness Design

#HVL535846 – Manual Trans. – $800.00

#HVL535846T – 6L80/90 Trans. – $900.00

ECM’s Reprogrammed

#HVL535846E – $450.00 without ECM core trade-in

#HVL535846EC – $275.00 with ECM core trade-in

2014-2016 6.2L L86 C-Truck Harness Designs

#HVL625846 – Manual Trans. – $800.00

#HVL625846T – 6L80/90 Trans. – $900.00

ECM’s Reprogrammed

#HVL625846E – $450.00 without ECM core trade-in

#HVL625846EC – $275.00 with ECM core trade-in

ADD $100.00 to harnesses requiring emission connections

ABOUT HOWELL EFI

At Howell EFI, we choose to sell only the best quality components and all are covered by a money back guarantee. For additional information visit www.howellefi.com or call 810-765-5100. Howell EFI is located at 6201 Industrial Way, Marine City, MI 48039

To learn more or to order your conversion kit or harness contact Howell EFI at www.howellefi.com or call (810) 765-5100.

A custom wiring harness and kit are the only way to go with Electronic Fuel Injection conversions.

Not all vehicle builds are the same. That’s why they call them customizers, right?

The fact is that when converting an originally carbureted engine over to fuel injection, there are man upgrades that are required to make it work properly. Electric radiator with thermostatic controls, fuel pump relocation to the gas tank and exhaust oxygen sensors required to make the fuel injection operational all require a custom wiring harness with the right fittings and the proper length wiring to connect it all together. No “cookie cutter” conversions kits could possibly do the job.

“We see a lot of online conversions kits that claim to be a one size fit all solution for folks converting their cars to electronic fuel injection,” said Matt Howell, President of Howell EFI. “But the fact is that these are very complex systems that need special attention to the layout of the wiring harness and the right matching components. We spend a considerable amount of time on the phone during the order process to make certain every piece of the kit is better than OE spec.”

Howell wiring looms utilize better than original equipment wire. The individual connectors used are exactly the same as those used by the original manufacture to ensure perfect attachment to the assigned component each one labeled with white tags to make for trouble-free installation. Best of all, when ordering a Howell EFI conversion kit, everything is included. Case in point for the classic Jeep carb to EFI change out, the kit features components like a new Throttle Body and computer module specifically programmed by Howell to the requests of the consumer. It is literally turn key!

“We have people who call in thinking this is a simple process because they have done some research online or actually bought a cut-rate conversion kit thinking that they had everything they need for the job,” said Troy Brown, Howell EFI Tech Director. “But it becomes painfully obvious that without attention to these details, the system will either not run at all or it will start but not deliver the performance they expect. We get too many customers who spend good money only to find out that the discount system was a total waste of time. We spend a lot of time to get it right and an equal amount of time researching new and updated systems either to enhance our existing systems or expand out coverage to include new models.

To learn more or to order your conversion kit or harness contact Howell EFI at www.howellefi.com or call (810) 765-5100.

No vehicle on the road (or off road) benefits more from swapping from a classic carburetor to electronic fuel injection than a Jeep After all, eliminating those angle sensitive float bowls that can starve an engine for fuel and creating an engine system that can adjust to the altitude of the climb by richening and leaning out the fuel delivery is every Jeep lover’s dream.

Howell EFI offers eight different kits for most Jeeps built between 1982 and 1993 that originally came with carburetors. Best of all, for the street-driven Jeeps, the conversion kits include full emission compliance within strict Air Resources Board mandates. That means owners will never have a problem with the local regulators when checking emissions compliance.

“The Howell EFI conversion kit integrates the critical charcoal canister and the EGR systems and eliminates the need for the air pump and other engine cluttering components,” stated Troy Brown, Howell EFI Tech Director. “What we do recommend is that owners who install this kit go on our website and print out Air Resource Board Executive order D452 and keep this two-page document in their Jeep. This document shows that our system is emissions complaint and should handle any issues they encounter.”

Installation Tips

The Howell EFI conversion kit includes everything you need to install the kit including the GM Throttle Body, reprogramed computer, high flow electric fuel pump, fuel filter, MAP sensor, all hardware, clips, mounts and most importantly, the custom factory-look wiring harness that uses better-than-factory components and wiring. Howell estimates that most of their Jeep conversion kits will take between 8 and 10 hours to install depending on your level of skill and the condition of your Jeep.

Key points to the installation include modification of the fuel system. Fuel injection systems require both a fuel delivery line and a return line, both running the length of the vehicle from the fuel tank to the engine. The recommendation is that this line be 5/16-inch diameter line, either braided steel or hard line. Rubber fuel line or steel line, if so desired, should be used but when using steel line, small sections of rubber hose are allowable around the new fuel filter and fuel pump to make them easy to service when needed. Many owners choose to mount these parts inside the transmission protection pan to avoid the buzzing noise notoriously emitted by electric pumps. Mounting the pump with some kind of rubber foam spacer where it touches the pan will keep the noise to a minimum.

The MAP (Mass Air Pressure) sensor supplied with the kit is a key component to proper operation. Howell EFI offers two types; one that can be simply installed off the TBI unit with a stiff piece of rubber hose or a second type that must be mounted in a downward facing angle with vacuum pointing towards the ground and the sensor mounted above the TBI unit itself on a bracket or the firewall. When reviewing your instructions, the MAP mount for your component will be noted.

Your Jeep’s computer is located within the interior behind the glove box. The dashboard on the passenger side must be loosened to allow for removal of the glove box. Once it is removed, the computer is easily located. Two nuts located on the engine side of the firewall must be removed to release the computer. Once it is free, gently remove the original equipment wiring harness junction from the computer.

The CTO (Coolant Temperature Override) switch is mounted on the engine block just below the intake manifold. It will be retained for any conversion and must be working properly. These switches are notorious for leakage, so if yours is showing its age it must be replaced. In addition, the original engine block mounted mechanical fuel pump will be removed and replaced by the block off plate supplied with the Howell EFI kit. The original pump rod stays in the block or the engine or oil pressure will not be correct. Make sure that the Howell plate is well sealed or oil leaks will occur.

For those looking for an overview of the system and owner experiences, YouTube-based instructional videos are readily available. “We have Jeep owners who go the full route and take out all of the original wiring loom and those that just tuck the unused original wiring away in the dashboard after heat shrinking the powered wires so they don’t ground out,” said Troy. “It is at the discretion of the builder as to how much or little they want to do – as with any vehicle modification. We honestly estimate the total install to not be longer than 10 hours from start to finish. The key is to study the schematic supplied with the kit and call our tech line if there are any questions.”